Imagine

[Hamish]

Well, I have to admit to already being a 365-days-a-year kilt wearer before coming across 'X Marks....' two years ago. At that time my Kollection kontained (oops! contained) 31 kilts so, perhaps this excellent forum, if not persuading me to wear the kilt more, has persuaded me to BUY more! On the other hand.......

To me, the most important effect 'X Marks....' has had on me and my life, has been that of making of me a small part of the amazing global community in which we here are privileged to find ourselves. Had it not been for Hank's generosity in providing the forum, I might not have made that most memorable tour of the USA in the Summer of 2004, when I met up with kindred spirits in New York City, Washington DC, Portland OR and Seattle WA. Some of those fascinatingly interesting and diverse people I already knew through Tom's Café as well as X Marks... , and although we had not previously physically met, when the moment came it was like greeting old friends. Wonderful! The same has to be said about my visit to The Gathering in Vancouver BC last August when meeting 'old friends' for the very first time became almost a daily event. True friendships were cemented in those two weeks which will last a lifetime - and I am truly grateful for that. It has also been a joy to meet many other members of our special community (alas too many to name) when they have been passing through London or my part of the United Kingdom.

At the very least, 'X Marks....' has, by default and by design, truly enriched my life.

[Riverkilt]

For Sure!

Just got back to town, was down in the Phoenix area - kilted all the time out and around with nary a comment. I really think it has to do with how I carry myself kilted now - confidently. That confidence has come from this board more than anything else.

This board has been a Godsend to an old guy like me in the remote canyonlands (its 135 miles to the nearest city over 10,000).

I started from seeing a Utilikilt at a Ren Faire, ordering one up, waiting 3 months for it, then risking wearing it in the redneck boonies. Found the Utilikilt board somewhere...it wasn't quite as bad as its become....but thanks to Steve Ashton who clued me in to X Marks.

There are so many little things to learn, so many great sources for accessories, so much grief saved from warnings about 'less than efficient' suppliers of kilts and accessories, money saved from clues to bargains.

Have met a few folks eyeball to eyeball at Highland Games...and see that UKs gonna be at all the Arizona Ren Faire dates this year...talk about a complete circle!

I've gone from first risking wearing that camo UK original about 17 months ago, to risking wearing a kilt to work, to risking wearing a kilt to AA (that'll put the fear of God into anyman!!), to wearing kilts full time - including to work - for almost six months now.

I've gone from that first UK camo to 13 UKs (they're best for this part of the country...dirt, sand, wind). I've added PKs and AKs and FKs and even SportKilts to my casual collection. And I've sprung for the hand sewn beauties. I'd never have had that confidence without this board and I'd never have found Kathy Lare to sew them up without this board.

Once I had the range of kilts bracketed from SportKilts to Kathy's Kilts I've gone back and filled in with USAKilts and found a bargain with Celtic Croft. I'm now up to 32 kilts with a hand sewn on the way soon from Kathy Lare - Cameron Red and Black in honor of my great great great grandmother Catherine Cameron who sailed from Skye to Nova Scotia in the 1850s.

And I've more "accessories" than some of the so called on line stores that seem to be mere middle men.

My credit cards are smouldering....

Are we sure this isn't some sort of banker's plot to stimulate the economy??

Whatever it is I'm loving it and I most certainly enjoy the ladies and gentlemen of this board who risk sharing the truth, the good an the not so good experiences...and the fun of kilting.

Ron